While the chronological archive records when the poems arrived, this collection arranges them by the terrain they cover.
I. The War and the Aftermath
Poems that bear witness to the conflict that shaped a generation, the fall of Saigon, and the immediate aftermath. These are the memories that refuse to fade.
7
Bamboo branches swaying in the gentle breeze
water buffaloes reflecting in the moonlight
bombs falling like raindrops
water buffaloes reflecting in the moonlight
bombs falling like raindrops
41
Moonlit night
water buffaloes
listen to falling bombs
water buffaloes
listen to falling bombs
80
The birds didn't sing
during Tet
of 1968
during Tet
of 1968
81
Dead bodies
at
a gas station
at
a gas station
82
A motorcycle
with
bullet holes
with
bullet holes
69
Mid-Autumn Festival
wishing for
a lantern and mooncake
wishing for
a lantern and mooncake
70
It's a school day
I get
a loaf of French bread
I get
a loaf of French bread
97
White sand of Nha Trang
the French landed
then the Americans
the French landed
then the Americans
112
Napalm
on skin
the heat of the sun
on skin
the heat of the sun
143
Cluster bomb pellets
rain down
from the sky
rain down
from the sky
13
How strange
dragonflies
spitting fire
dragonflies
spitting fire
124
Conical hats
in emerald rice field
the sound of helicopters approaching
in emerald rice field
the sound of helicopters approaching
129
Cu Chi tunnel
too small
for a mole
too small
for a mole
138
A boy
digging for metals
the bomb exploded
digging for metals
the bomb exploded
139
Children
with faces
of Agent Orange
with faces
of Agent Orange
140
How strange
these faces
of Agent Orange
these faces
of Agent Orange
II. The Boat
The journey across the South China Sea. The thirst, the fear, the silence, and the rescue. The moment the ocean became a graveyard of boats.
96
April 30, 1975
the journey
began
the journey
began
93
A gold necklace
from mother
for the boat journey
from mother
for the boat journey
118
The view from a boat
leaving
fireworks over Saigon
leaving
fireworks over Saigon
14
One boat
alone
this vast ocean
alone
this vast ocean
115
The outfit
worn on the journey
seems so small now
worn on the journey
seems so small now
94
The ship
turning around
someone jumped overboard
turning around
someone jumped overboard
95
A thirst
in a desert
of a boat at sea
in a desert
of a boat at sea
122
Deep blue and placid
a graveyard
of the boats at sea
a graveyard
of the boats at sea
III. The Practice
The breath, the bell, the silence. Poems born from forty years of meditation, from the log on the beach to the forest monastery in Myanmar.
30
White orchid
on the altar
the Buddha smiles
on the altar
the Buddha smiles
4
Dark clouds
approaching
songbirds still sing
approaching
songbirds still sing
8
Ego
my own ego
big as a mountain
chip at it
a little
each day
my own ego
big as a mountain
chip at it
a little
each day
9
Master
seeking for you
halfway around the world
Guru
where are you
but in my heart
seeking for you
halfway around the world
Guru
where are you
but in my heart
11
Autumn breeze
falling leaves
why think of summer
falling leaves
why think of summer
12
Every caterpillar
metamorphoses
in its own time
metamorphoses
in its own time
27
Temple bell
fading
silence remains
fading
silence remains
47
Still pond
full moon
no reflection
full moon
no reflection
48
Each breath
a death
renewal
a death
renewal
71
Every
breath
aware
breath
aware
147
A breath
between
the thoughts
between
the thoughts
92
The moon
of yesterday
is the moon of yesterday
of yesterday
is the moon of yesterday
73
A willow
yields
to the wind
yields
to the wind
89
Rhododendrons
in full bloom
the length of a breath
in full bloom
the length of a breath
102
In breath
out breath
at touching point
out breath
at touching point
103
A meditation bell
at sunrise
the sunflowers listen
at sunrise
the sunflowers listen
110
Temple bell
the frogs
become quiet
the frogs
become quiet
113
Temple bell
vibration
enters the body
vibration
enters the body
120
A moon
reflected
in still water
reflected
in still water
121
A meditation bell
at the end
the real practice begins
at the end
the real practice begins
149
Temple bell
the sound
of non-attachment
the sound
of non-attachment
152
A meditation
bell
the end can wait
bell
the end can wait
153
The finger pointing at the moon
is not the moon
the breath is
is not the moon
the breath is
154
Awareness
of the breath
this moment
of the breath
this moment
155
The beauty
of the cherry blossoms
is in this moment
of the cherry blossoms
is in this moment
156
To live fully
in the present moment
is to be aware of the breath
in the present moment
is to be aware of the breath
157
To move
beyond suffering
is to be aware of the breath
beyond suffering
is to be aware of the breath
158
The breath is for all
rich or poor
just be aware
rich or poor
just be aware
159
Love
is being
in the moment
is being
in the moment
IV. The Forest and the Robe
The forty-five days as a novice monk in Myanmar. The simplicity of the hut, the silence of the woods, and the moment of leaving.
3
Spiderweb
collecting morning dew
a graveyard of mosquitoes
collecting morning dew
a graveyard of mosquitoes
6
Dragonfly
in a pond of lotus flowers
be still
in a pond of lotus flowers
be still
26
Pink lotus
in full bloom
this muddy pond
in full bloom
this muddy pond
39
Temple bell
the forest
listens
the forest
listens
109
Temple bell
echo
in the forest
echo
in the forest
111
Temple bell
in moonlight
no shadow in the forest
in moonlight
no shadow in the forest
128
Temple bell
the sound
coming from the forest
the sound
coming from the forest
148
Autumn leaves
falling
the creek awaits
falling
the creek awaits
114
A monk robe
on the hook
the last time
on the hook
the last time
134
Lying awake
waiting for
the sound of the temple bell
waiting for
the sound of the temple bell
V. The Garden and Daily Life
The quiet observations of the present. The bees, the peonies, the hummingbirds, and the simple act of watering. The watcher at work in the ordinary.
1
I saw
an earthworm
crawling
next to my feet
carefully
I picked it up
and placed it
in a flowerpot
so I wouldn't step on it
then I saw
another
I placed it
in the same flowerpot
so the other
won't be lonely
an earthworm
crawling
next to my feet
carefully
I picked it up
and placed it
in a flowerpot
so I wouldn't step on it
then I saw
another
I placed it
in the same flowerpot
so the other
won't be lonely
19
Hummingbird
darting
a field of honeysuckles
darting
a field of honeysuckles
20
The bird feeder
black sunflower seeds
chirping red-headed finches
black sunflower seeds
chirping red-headed finches
21
Yellow butterfly
floating above
purple lavender
floating above
purple lavender
22
A bee
buzzing
the peony flower
buzzing
the peony flower
131
A spiderweb
across the rhododendron
how long have you been waiting
across the rhododendron
how long have you been waiting
146
Don't worry'
spider
I don't mind the spiderweb
spider
I don't mind the spiderweb
34
A brook
trickling down
a silent pond
trickling down
a silent pond
24
The koi
moving
in silent pond
moving
in silent pond
25
Cricket
chirping
in moonlit night
chirping
in moonlit night
17
Peony flower
in spring
winter is over
in spring
winter is over
35
White peony
from the garden
on the kitchen table
from the garden
on the kitchen table
36
White peony
bending
at the stem
bending
at the stem
37
Cooper's hawk
waiting
at the bird feeder
waiting
at the bird feeder
42
Spring rain
Spanish lavender
scent in the air
Spanish lavender
scent in the air
29
White butterfly
alights
upon pink orchid
alights
upon pink orchid
43
Pink orchid
the shape
of a butterfly
the shape
of a butterfly
32
A grassy field
this wet spring evening
the sound of a frog
this wet spring evening
the sound of a frog
44
Pouring rain
the frogs
listen
the frogs
listen
45
Woodpecker
the sound
echo
the sound
echo
46
A finch released
chirping
on the fence
chirping
on the fence
49
A rose
fragrance
this moment
fragrance
this moment
23
Cherry blossom
petal
falling
petal
falling
50
Spring rain
cherry blossom
without flowers
cherry blossom
without flowers
51
A mouse
trapped
set free
trapped
set free
52
Sorry spider
have
a better next life
have
a better next life
53
A fawn
the freeway
a truck swerves
the freeway
a truck swerves
54
Bees
enjoy the lavender
I'm just watering
enjoy the lavender
I'm just watering
55
A teddy bear
my daughter's gift
on my birthday
my daughter's gift
on my birthday
56
Summertime
cricket chirping
by Costco parking lot
cricket chirping
by Costco parking lot
57
Summer evening
the cicadas
become quiet
the cicadas
become quiet
58
Three birds
on
a power line
on
a power line
59
Sunset
a bird
on a bare branch
a bird
on a bare branch
60
Petunia basket
hummingbird
feeder
hummingbird
feeder
61
Petunia
in springtime
intoxicated bees
in springtime
intoxicated bees
18
Autumn
leaves
falling
leaves
falling
62
Autumn leaves
falling
in a gentle breeze
falling
in a gentle breeze
67
The fireplace
a log glowing
like fireflies
a log glowing
like fireflies
74
Persimmon branches
swaying
are you happy I'm watering
swaying
are you happy I'm watering
79
The kite
my brother made
soaring in the wind
my brother made
soaring in the wind
86
A bee
makes honey
that's all
makes honey
that's all
87
This summer
heat wave
the cicadas become quiet
heat wave
the cicadas become quiet
141
Summertime
the peony flowers
collecting dew from the hose
the peony flowers
collecting dew from the hose
145
Summer heat
late to the garden
the sunflowers look away
late to the garden
the sunflowers look away
151
Sunflower
playing
peek-a-boo
playing
peek-a-boo
150
I don't mind
standing in the sun
to water you peony
standing in the sun
to water you peony
88
Two potted blueberries
by the fence
for passersby
by the fence
for passersby
90
A spider
has
feelings too
has
feelings too
91
Dew drops
disappear
in morning sun
disappear
in morning sun
101
White peony
translucent
in sunlight
translucent
in sunlight
105
White orchid
wilting
on the kitchen table
wilting
on the kitchen table
VI. Snow and Winter
The cold of Pennsylvania, the homelessness, the quiet of the empty chair. The snow that covers the past and the present alike.
28
Footsteps
in
falling snow
in
falling snow
68
Walking
in falling snow
with no destination
in falling snow
with no destination
75
Full moon
cold winter night
I walk on
cold winter night
I walk on
83
Winter snow
melting
the river flows
melting
the river flows
84
Moonlit night
casting my shadow
into the night
casting my shadow
into the night
85
Moonlight
shadow on snow
my companion
shadow on snow
my companion
104
Watching
the breath
in falling snow
the breath
in falling snow
126
In winter snow
I asked the Abbot
for a place to stay
I asked the Abbot
for a place to stay
127
Winter snow
covering my home
the VW Bug
covering my home
the VW Bug
133
In bitter cold
with no place to go
I keep walking
with no place to go
I keep walking
VII. Loss and Memory
The things left behind, the people who are gone, the moments of letting go. The ache that remains when the snow melts.
10
Ten years
seems as yesterday
I have not let go
seems as yesterday
I have not let go
15
In my darkest hour
I cried out for you
I love you, mom
I cried out for you
I love you, mom
38
Forget-me-not
on
an empty park bench
on
an empty park bench
2
Like a sailboat
in a vast blue sea
without a compass
or a star
to point the way
then you appear
bright as the northern star
radiant and lovely
with that far-away look
in your eyes
and lips so moist
as the morning dew
and suddenly
I am no longer lost
as I steer
by the light
of the northern star
in a vast blue sea
without a compass
or a star
to point the way
then you appear
bright as the northern star
radiant and lovely
with that far-away look
in your eyes
and lips so moist
as the morning dew
and suddenly
I am no longer lost
as I steer
by the light
of the northern star
63
A cat
for a companion
after the separation
for a companion
after the separation
64
Kitty cat
would you like
a glass of wine
would you like
a glass of wine
142
A peony
wilting
the bee lingers
wilting
the bee lingers
144
The last flowering
of the Spanish Lavender
the bees can't let go
of the Spanish Lavender
the bees can't let go
65
White peony petals
on the ground
the color of passing
on the ground
the color of passing
77
Chopin nocturnes
in moonlight
alone
in moonlight
alone
78
Last spring
I planted a persimmon tree
to remember you
I planted a persimmon tree
to remember you
16
Temple bell ringing
I think
of my friend
I think
of my friend
106
Empty chair
at the table
it's snowing
at the table
it's snowing
123
The wedding band
at the bottom of the lake
the moment I let go
at the bottom of the lake
the moment I let go
125
Weeping cherry
blossoms
hesitantly falling
blossoms
hesitantly falling
137
A rose
on a dining table
dinner for one
on a dining table
dinner for one
VIII. America
The strange land of arrival. The fireworks, the BBQ, the silence of the immigrant, the feeling of being a guest.
66
I took the one less traveled by
in a yellow wood
but needed a cane
in a yellow wood
but needed a cane
76
Lighthouse Mission
that was
a good meal
that was
a good meal
116
July 4th
the scent of charcoal
from the hibachi
the scent of charcoal
from the hibachi
117
The familiar
sound of explosion
on July 4th
sound of explosion
on July 4th
119
A Black man
became a mute
in America
became a mute
in America
130
A wrong turn
on solar eclipse
two men met me with two M16
on solar eclipse
two men met me with two M16
IX. Home
The shape of Vietnam, the sound of the ocean, the return. The question of where the road ends.
33
A salmon
returning
the stream awaits
returning
the stream awaits
31
Autumn leaves
on
a winding path
on
a winding path
40
Autumn fog
covering
the road home
covering
the road home
98
S-shaped
hugging the sea
the shape of home
hugging the sea
the shape of home
98b
Ao dai
the shape
of Viet Nam
the shape
of Viet Nam
72
A bicycle ride home
from school
ao dai flutters like butterfly
from school
ao dai flutters like butterfly
99
Tet here
is not like
Tet there
is not like
Tet there
100
Skylark
on a barbwire
are you looking for home
on a barbwire
are you looking for home
5
Desert moon
shone brightly
a lone wanderer
shone brightly
a lone wanderer
107
Ocean waves
the sound
of home
the sound
of home
108
Bamboo pole across shoulder
carrying two loads
Saigon remembers me
carrying two loads
Saigon remembers me
132
Summer heat
the journey
in each step
the journey
in each step
135
This old wooden chair
weather worn in the garden
about to fall apart
weather worn in the garden
about to fall apart
136
Old crow
on a bare branch
autumn is not here yet
on a bare branch
autumn is not here yet